Indigrow New Appointment

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Indigrow New Appointment: Indigrow are delighted to announce the appointment of Stuart Green as an area sales manager, helping us expand and enhance our areas of operation within the UK.

Stuart joins Indigrow with a wide range of experiences from the turf management sector. From leading sports turf apprenticeships at a leading higher education establishment, through heading up member learning at one of the world’s largest greenkeeper associations, to offering turf nutrition advice in a role as a technical advisor, Stuart has a great number of skills to offer our customer base as part of our dedication to excellent customer service.

Indigrow New Appointment

Indigrow New Appointment

Stuart will be responsible for Yorkshire and Lancashire and the surrounding areas. His knowledge and expertise from the world of sports turf and agronomy are priceless to us and invaluable to our customers. If you wish to contact Stuart, his new details are as follows:

Stuart Green 07443 320831 sgreen@indigrow.co.uk

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DSV UK Hosts Insightful Netherlands Trip

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DSV UK Hosts Insightful Netherlands Trip: DSV UK recently organised a trip for distributors and end users to the company’s Netherlands division, offering attendees an in-depth look into the world of grass breeding.

Hamish Crichton, from DSV UK, led the trip, which aimed to showcase the scale, history, and expertise of DSV.

The Netherlands trip was designed to provide a comprehensive view of DSV’s operations, including a tour of their state-of-the-art facilities. Hamish explained the purpose behind the visit: “We got everyone together – both distributors and their customers – to show them what DSV is all about. From our long-standing pedigree to the level of investment in new facilities and products, the tour provided valuable insights into our capabilities.”

One of the highlights of the trip was viewing turf trials, where visitors could see the cultivars in their purest form. “It was great for the attendees to see the cultivars, not just in mixtures, but in isolation, which really helps to showcase the quality,” Hamish said. He added that the group were impressed by the breeding process, which can take up to sixteen years for a single variety to be developed and approved.

Holger Lurmann, Product Manager of Turf Grasses, provided an expert perspective on the breeding process during the visit. He explained the various stages involved in producing a single variety of grass and how these varieties are composed into specialised mixtures.

“I gave an introduction into our breeding efforts and what is required to get the final product,” Holger said. “We also discussed what goes into creating a mixture that works for the customer’s specific needs, whether it’s for sports or ornamental purposes. The group visited our trial plots, which are part of the official trial system here in the Netherlands.”

These trials ensure that only the highest-quality turf varieties make it to market, providing end users with confidence in the products they purchase.

Beyond the technical insights, the trip was also an opportunity to strengthen relationships with distributors and customers. As Hamish emphasised, “Days like this help create more awareness of the DSV brand and build stronger connections with those who use and sell our products.”

The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many finding the trip highly beneficial. “The feedback has been great, and everyone has taken something valuable from it,” Hamish said. “It’s been a great opportunity to not only showcase what we do but also to build a deeper understanding of our products among those who use them.”

While DSV has long been recognised as a leader in grass breeding across Europe, the trip also helped to further cement DSV’s reputation in the UK. “DSV is still a relatively new name to the UK market, and we wanted to show people the scale of the business and the quality of the cultivars we produce. Now, the industry is realising that DSV has been around for decades, producing first-class grass seed mixtures,” Hamish said.

Take advantage of these exclusive discounts, contact your local DSV distributor today.

Please visit www.dsv-uk.co.uk for more information.

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Innovation takes centre stage at SALTEX

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Innovation takes centre stage at SALTEX: SALTEX has solidified its status as the ultimate event for the entire grounds management industry, putting high-calibre visitors and cutting-edge innovation at the forefront.

This year’s exhibition at the NEC Birmingham, the 78th edition, drew thousands of industry professionals and volunteers, where in-depth conversations led to strengthened relationships.

Innovation takes centre stage at SALTEX

Innovation takes centre stage at SALTEX

Visitors were able to see more than 30 new products making their UK debut, underscoring SALTEX as the premier platform for innovation. With over 20% of exhibitors attending for the first time, SALTEX continues to attract fresh talent and businesses eager to connect with influential industry leaders.

Susanna Anderson-Lewis from TurfSolv said: “SALTEX 2024 has been a very successful show for us. In addition to the number and quality of visitors to our stand, we were able to use this platform to launch and showcase our two new grass care products. Also, before the exhibition, the SALTEX team were more than helpful in cheerfully accommodating our stand requirements. The TurfSolv team look forward to exhibiting next year at SALTEX 2025.”

The high calibre of visitors this year underlines SALTEX’s status as a must-attend event. Almost 80% of attendees were senior decision-makers, with visitors from Premier League football clubs including Liverpool FC, Cheslea FC, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as world-class sports venues including Allianz Arena (FC Bayern Munich), Lord’s Cricket Ground, Red Bull Arena (RB Leipzig), Wembley Stadium, Doncaster Racecourse and Mattioli Woods Welford Road (Leicester Tigers).

Additionally, SALTEX welcomed representatives from leading educational institutions including Harrow School, Myerscough College, Eton College and Magdalen College School, alongside prominent universities such as Oxford University, Cambridge University, University of Leeds and Trinity College Dublin.

Many local authorities were also represented at SALTEX including Bristol City Council, Leeds City Council and Nottingham City Council, as well as notable estates such as Sandringham and The Royal Parks.

A growing representation of County Football Associations showcased the vital role of the volunteer network in grassroots sports. Among those in attendance were the London FA, Birmingham FA, Liverpool FA, and Sheffield and Hallamshire FA.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association CEO said: “We’re really pleased with the success of SALTEX 2024. Each year, we work closely with the industry to ensure that SALTEX remains relevant, impactful and forward-thinking. Listening to our industry’s needs and evolving the event to match those expectations is at the heart of what we do.

“This year’s turnout, the quality of conversations and the level of innovation on display reflect that commitment. We’re already looking ahead to SALTEX 2025 and are excited to bring even more opportunities for engagement and collaboration to our attendees and exhibitors.”

Next year, SALTEX will return to its traditional November slot of 12-13 November 2025, better aligning with industry preferences and the grounds management calendar. SALTEX 2025 will also see a relocation to Halls 17, 18 and 19 at the NEC, introducing a refreshed layout designed to enhance the experience for both visitors and exhibitors.

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Green-tech Supports Tilhill Forestry

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Green-tech Supports Tilhill Forestry: Green-tech, the UK’s leading landscape supplier to the landscaping and forestry sectors, has recently collaborated with Tilhill Forestry to enhance the natural beauty of a Scottish site.

Olivia Fitzgerald, Forest Manager at Tilhill, shared her insights on the project, emphasising the importance of Green-tech’s products in achieving their goals. “Following harvesting, the landowner was keen to create a new area of riparian broadleaves at the entrance to their site. The tree shelters and guards from Green-tech will be essential for protecting the young trees from the local deer population. In years to come, visitors to this forest will be welcomed with cherry blossom in the spring and brilliant yellow leaves of autumnal aspen. Thank you to Green-tech for providing such a responsive and reliable service.”.

Green-tech Supports Tilhill Forestry

Green-tech Supports Tilhill Forestry

The project saw Green-tech supplying 1300 Tubex tree shelters, each 1.2 meters high, and 1.35-meter softwood stakes. These shelters and stakes are vital for ensuring the young trees can grow safely, free from damage caused by wildlife. The use of these products reflects Green-tech’s commitment to supporting sustainable forestry practices and enhancing the UK’s natural landscapes.

A riparian zone is the area of land along a river or burn.  Planting native broadleaf trees along these zones will help with climate change and biodiversity, creating robust wildlife corridors.

Tom Sollitt, Key Account Manager at Green-tech, added. “We were very pleased to be involved with this project. Olivia and the Tilhill team in South Scotland are always a pleasure to work with; their knowledge, dedication, and professionalism helped to make this a success for the client. We’re proud to have contributed to the enhancement of the natural landscape in a beautiful part of the country.”

Tilhill Forestry is renowned for being the UK’s leading sustainable forest and timber harvesting company. They offer a comprehensive range of services to woodland owners, public bodies, farmers, landowners, and private companies across the UK. Their expertise and commitment to sustainability make them an ideal partner for projects that endeavour to preserve and enhance natural habitats.

The successful relationship between Tilhill Forestry and Green-tech showcases the importance of reliable partnerships and high-quality products in sustainable forestry. As the newly planted riparian broadleaves mature, they provide both a stunning visual experience for visitors and contribute to the ecological health of the area.

Green-tech’s involvement in this project highlights its position as a major supplier to the UK’s landscaping and forestry sectors, dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and natural beauty.

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BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

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BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is this week launching a survey that invites all greenkeepers – whether members of the association or otherwise – to share their opinions on the structure and role of the association itself.

The survey is intended to ensure that greenkeepers are at the heart of plans to develop the activities and structure of BIGGA and ensure it is well-placed to meet the challenges of future years.

BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

BIGGA invites greenkeepers to share their opinions

The survey is the first step in a consultation phase that is being undertaken in collaboration with Sporting Insights, the leading sports marketing research organisation. The survey can be completed here.

The questionnaire will give all greenkeepers the opportunity to have their say about BIGGA itself, whether positive or otherwise. Questions will cover the BIGGA membership offering, the value of benefits and initiatives that are currently available and how these might change. There will also be questions on membership categories, the role of volunteers and how BIGGA advocates for its members within the industry.

Those who complete the questionnaire will be entered into a draw to win £500 in Amazon vouchers.

Scott Reeves, BIGGA Head of Membership, said: “BIGGA has a proven history of advancing the profession of greenkeeping and providing its members with innovative benefits and opportunities. As the association approaches its 40th anniversary, we recognise that the industry is rapidly changing and if we are to remain an influential force within the golf and turf management industries, we must listen to all stakeholders, whether within membership or those who opt against joining BIGGA. This is a genuine opportunity for everyone in greenkeeping to influence the direction BIGGA takes over the coming years and we are committed to listening to all voices, whether supportive or otherwise.”

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said: “The greenkeeping industry never stands still. Greenkeepers are renowned for being self-critical and always wanting to improve their facilities and their own knowledge. At BIGGA we aim to have a similar mentality, which is why we are again seeking clear feedback to ensure our offering to our members and the wider industry is as fit for purpose as it can be.

“I’m proud of the strides BIGGA has made during its lifetime but we cannot rest on our laurels and I hope very many of our members and other stakeholders in the industry will help us to achieve even more in the next few years.”

Steve Lloyd, BIGGA Chairperson and The Worcestershire Golf Club Course Manager, said: “Participating in this survey gives each of us a voice in shaping the future of our association and, ultimately, our profession. As greenkeepers, our insights and experiences are invaluable in defining the direction and support we need from BIGGA.

“Completing this survey is a chance to make sure the structure and role of the association truly reflect what’s most important for our work and the industry. I encourage all greenkeepers to take part and contribute to this vision for the future.”

BIGGA has long been an association that has evolved to suit the ever-changing needs of its members. A desire to improve professionalism and knowledge led to the development of the Continue to Learn education programme and the implementation of an industry-first Continuing Professional Development system. In recent years, challenges with workforce recruitment and retention and increasing concern relating to mental health have led to the significant investment intended to support members in these areas.

Complete the survey here.

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